South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1887-12-02
Lee and Jackson.

Lee and Jackson.
Below We give an sccounl OF the
last interview between these two great
generals, written by the ouly eve
witness, and published for tho ii.s.
time in the Richmond Critic of No.
vember IA:
The dsy before Jack sons column
started on the great movem ent a ,aips.
the right of Hookor's army. at Chan
CO 'orsviIle. Gen. Lee invited Col. T.
NJ. Il. Talcots, OF the engineers. to
come 10 his quarters and to he pres-
ent at an interview which ho hat ar
ranged to have with Gen. jackson
that evening.
AT the appointed hour Col. Tal.ott
reported TO Gen. LIE and was polite.
~ request ed TO be seated. Gen. Lee
rem arked: 81 am expecting General
Jackson, and sen. for you lha at ycu
might hear what passed between u.s."
General Lee was seated at a table,
upon which was spread a map of tho
Held OF operations. He paid no at
tention to the Colonel. who was the
only other person present. but intent.
~ studied the map. With his finger
he located point after point and care.
fully traced the roads and streams.
The Colonel silently and wondering.
Iy waited.
Suddenly the massive figure of
jackson parted the tent end he q ooi
inside. Then there were three pres.
ent. Two to act and one 10 record.
jackson saluted and uttered the
single word, General
General Lee, intent upon the prob.
lem OF the map. did not appear 10 no
VICE Tie arrival of his great right
arm" until he heard his voice. When
jackson spoke General Lee raised his
eyes from the map and looked intent.
~ at Jackson. without salute or even
"good'evenins," commenced talk
ing with great energy AMI rapidly:
General jackson. / have sent for
you In order tina! / might have the
benefit OF your advice and assistance.
You are familiar with the present
State OF affairs and want your opiu.
ION as to what is the hest tina. can be
hone under the present circumstan.
css."
General Jackson g: heightened him !.
self and replied: II have no eugges.
lions TO make cir"
This reply seemed to excite, almost
TO annoy General Lee, and be at OF ce
insisted thst Jackson should expires 8
some opinion. As if 10 encourage
him he again went over The situation,
traced the rosds with his finger, loca.
ted his own troops and those of the
enemy. enlarged on the great danger
OF menacing his army. told Jack son
he bad sent for him especially 10 have
his views, and then looking wist.ully
at him paused for his reply. Again
jackson rose TO his full height and
again he said. quietly and firmly {:
Il have no suggestions to % AXE sir -
General Lee then rapidly stated
his determination to attack, and ira.
chg the route and the points on the
map with his finger, laid before Jack .
son every detail of the movement.
As he rapidly disclosed the plan his
voice and conntenance expires sed e
normous energy and suppressed en- (.
tbusissm.
Jackson, still standing, sbso bed
every word and as the plan was de-
vel'p d before him, by the msn he
was "~illing t. follow blindfolded I"
seemed trahsfieured. As Gen. Lee
proceeded he bccame more and more
erect; his fsce flushed, bis eyes fair.
ly glitlered with excitement.
General Lee cOnclads1 by tellin .
him exactly what troops no should
lake; Mt what hour be should march !.
oy What road AMI 10 what point; how
lie should form line OF battle with his
right here and his left there and front.
ing go, and attack!
Jackson smi ed touched bis csp.
said, 81 march 8; four in the morn.
ing turned on biz heel and vanish. a.
q neral Lee then Turned quietly tn
the Colonel OF Engineer and said /:
Colonel TalcotL you will please ride
with General Jackson In the morning
anf conduct his column past my left !"
Very vel. sir" id the Colonel.
and tbon, saluting. he DEF ar,ed and
Lee was alone with the awful respon-
sibllity Who could paint tn, soil.
tHde OF that great heart when this
great deed was done and WHO would
, OF rather be Jack on ri6in1 Ia =
storm OF Wild hurrsbr TO quick death
and glorious victory than Lee The
cam burd. n-bearer and lero OF re-.
'ponsibility, who br veIy sid. ut Is
all my fault" and died.
Charlottesville. tue mt DARN,
and successful battle, considering the
odds. ever fought on this continent.
was planned and ordered l,y the man
of whom C itics have sad, be "vas
cautious and slow Let this W.T..
ness az .inst them.
o.